Helping Mule Deer & Gear Wrap

It just helps you. I I can't even put into words of how, but, you know, when I'm just complaining and I'm disconnected from the resource, you know, it's all about getting 1. I have to fill a tag or I'm not happy. Oh, man. I'm I'm ready I'm ready to go home. Yeah. What? Yeah. It's pretty easy to sit here and say, oh, I'm so excited for hunting season and then was gonna be the best

season. Yeah. But days 7 when you still haven't found the buck you're looking for and it's snowing sideways, that's that's kinda when and that really kicks in that closet it. That that endless positivity. The cast is powered by On x Hunt and for good reason. On hunt is the number 1 hunting Gps app in the industry. Stay tuned for a rock broadcast promo code. Hey, everybody. Welcome to the rock cast. It's what, early July. I can hear the velvet

growing and stretching as I speak. I wanted to introduce you to a good guy today. Actually just met myself. I really don't know him, but I know he's a good guy because he loves mule there, and he and he doesn't only put put his money or his mouth is. He puts his time where his mouth is. I wanted to introduce you today to Taylor Gregory. He's the c chair of the Wood River. Chapter of the Mule deer foundation and listen in. This guy's gonna make you better deer hunter. Taylor, are you

out there? I'm here, Robbie. Thanks for having me. You bet, Buddy. Thanks for reaching out. To me on rock slide. I didn't put your rock light screen name down on my outline, but I believe it's hunt high 1. Is that true? I believe that's right. Yeah. Alright. Everybody. So I met him on rocks slide because he's out there doing good stuff. And he's trying to be a better deer

hunter himself. And he's not just sitting around bitch and moaning in about too many coyote, too many wolves, the the the the sun is too bright today, global cooling, whatever. He's he he knows he knows the the the complaints that are out there. We... We're not trying to deny Mule deer are having a hard time. But that's 1 reason when this guy started talking to me, I thought this this dude is awesome because he started a chapter of the Mule Foundation.

Rather than sitting around complaining. He says, I'm gonna get out and do what I can do to help me there. So Taylor, kinda tell us about how you got this vision to start the chapter. You mentioned something about going to a banquet in twin falls. Is that right? Yeah. Robbie. I just... Went to the... I wanted to be more of part of mule Foundation. So I, you know, became a member started reading their magazines. I've read your books, have just been passionate

about Hunting. I've loved joining them, and Idaho for several years. I've I went to school in Montana, so Was able to hunt my first meal there in Montana, Had some real botched opportunities growing up in Eastern Washington when I was really young. But yeah. We went to the local chapter. My girlfriend and I, and sitting there got to think why am I driving all the way to twin falls from Haley Ke them to go to this chapter

event. Why don't we start 1 here and I reached out to the regional director at the time, and he he told me he said, hey. Hold that thought. I've got another guy I'm talking to that's already in the process and the that guy was the who ended up becoming our current chair as a Ross Baker. So he and I teamed it up and got it started. Alright. And his Ross Baker there in the Wood river Valley? Yes is. Yes. Alright. And for those of you that don't know the Wood river Valley, as he just mentioned at

Haley Ke, Fin sun Valley. Ski or kind of the heart of central Idaho, maybe a little bit on the southern tip of what I call Central Idaho just north of the of the of the big desert, but great mule deer elk country all around there. Many units around there, a lot of back country around there they're just just a good place to live And did did I hear you right. You grew up in Eastern Washington? Yep. I grew up in Spokane. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Dude you're a non resident

here out. Hear helping Idaho mule? Well, you know, the classic argument around here is the... I don't know how many years it called... It'd be a resident to qualify as a real resident these days, but I think... I've been in Idaho for, over 10 years now. We just moved it to 20. That's what it is. It's gonna be 30 next year. No, man. Tongue in cheek, totally. This is why I'm not afraid of non resident hon, man. You got... I don't care if you grew up in Eastern Washington, Tennessee.

If you love hunting, we wanna find a place for you and sure enough. A guy like you. Grows up in Eastern Washington Go to school Montana. Ends up out here, you're not just taking from the resource you're adding to the resource. K? So when you were going to the Mule foundation chapter Banquet in twin falls, and you... You were talking to their director, and he hooked you up with Ross Baker. He... Is he also local to Wood river Valley Yeah. Ross slips here. Yep. Awesome. Got. So so...

But you had never met him before? Never had. No. Alright. So you guys got together, say, hey, How can we help Mule dear? What was that? 20 22? That was late 20 22. Yeah. 23. Excellent. Oh, so, wow, you got into mule just ride everything took a nose dive on that hard winter. So you guys got yourself a chapter together? Have you had your first banquet? We've not had our first banquet. We hosted

in August of last summer. We hosted a sort of a gear exchange event, because it I thought was a pretty unique idea. Essentially, imagine a consignment situation where people bring any gear they wanna sell. And would the chapter takes a minimum of, I think we did 10 percent that time or 20 percent. And then if they wanted to do more a higher percentage they could. And, man, we sure had some awesome awesome gear there, tons of first light of course because Hayley leaves

the Home first leg. Right. Sure. Sure. Yeah. Big supporters of conservation. So, hey. Well, that... That's really cool. But we'll tell me this. Like... Like, what what were you seeing was missing in the Wood Ruler valley? What what what did you think you could make a difference on by starting this chapter?

I just habitat it. I mean, I I keep listening to, like, the Kevin Monte podcast that you've done have read some of his papers, I kind of... I guess I like to follow some of the scientific stuff as much as I can. And everything I read from biologists or hear from biologists just points towards habitat is the number 1 way to improve mule deer, and I figured well there's certainly plenty of habitat and points plenty of opportunity for habitat work around here.

So I figured I might as well do something. Alright. And you'd had mentioned when we were off that, you know, the average hunter you're you're run into in the field, just, you know, they... They hate fishing game, You know, it it's the wolves. It's our It's whatever. Know? I mean, Kinda poke fun at that stuff, but I I know some of that stuff you know, is is not going away

we want. I totally get that. But I was admire a guy that's, like, you know, I can just let my attitude go down the toilet or I can get up and do something about it. But but... And... And you were the lap. You were like, hey, I I don't wanna just live here complaining. I wanna do something about it. And and and and and and so the whole the whole habitat thing. You're, you know, you're seeing the improvements that we can make there. Tell listeners a little bit more of how

you got that vision. There's gotta be more than just go into 1 meeting. Oh, I've... It's something I've been thinking about for a long time, and honestly just frankly being lazy. You know? I I'd had I had told myself I was gonna join a chapter start to start joining some volunteer events for probably 567 years, you know? And I just hadn't acted on it and I kinda got annoyed with myself and annoyed with knowing, you know, as I listen to more and learn more about meal habitat and seeing

opportunities for work on the ground. I figured Oh, now's the time, and it they just made it easy on me here, and that's a another guy was already thinking about it. So I I got to talking with him and we hit it off and we wanna do some real work on the ground. So... Alright, man. I love it. Because really, the way I look at it, just just to boil the argument down as as simple as possible. If if we wanna make Meal hunting better, we got... We got 2 choices.

Continue to cut back on tags and opportunity. Which has pretty much been happening. In every Western state for the last 10 years, most will agree. It seems to be the road to nowhere right now. You know, it's... It we're we're we're not growing a lot more mule there with these changes that that we're making. Or we can start taking better. Care of mule and everything that affects me, like, you know, habitat migration corridors, you know, all those type of things.

Now I realize there's little site are all of that. But but to me, If we're just gonna continue to just limit opportunity and limit opportunity and limit opportunity, that's the depressing thing to me. But I have seen Mule get back on their feet before from, you know, favorable weather, habitat improvement protection of migration corridors under highways and things like that. And to me, man, that's the long game. That's that's where we can make the difference.

Sounds like you're you're on that train with me. I definitely agree. And I've heard you talk a little bit about the importance of positivity when you are hunting for success and... It's not not something I learned on the hunting side I learned it on the fishing side. And when I used to be obsessed with steel head fishing. I got... Once I got good, It got to the point where every cast, I genuinely thought I was gonna hook a steel head

on every cast. Mh. And it wasn't that that was actually occurring, but when I fished that way, I was I was out fishing everybody. And I find that if I approach... If I approach Hunting in the same manner with that same positivity, it's amazing what it does for my own and I think doing work like this is just gonna help me have that's excessive positivity regardless of the current situation. Like, if you're taken taking action to to do some work and improve it. You're you're doing something.

You bet. And it mentally? Helps you. That's what I... What's what I mean when I say this stuff makes you a better dear hunter. When you're getting engaged, and you're given back, and and you're learning and you're keeping an open mind helps when when you're out on the mountain, it just helps you. III can't even put into words of how, But, you know, when I'm just complaining and I'm disconnected from the resource, you know, it's all about getting 1. I have to fill a tag or I'm not happy.

Oh, man. I'm I'm ready I'm ready to go home. Yeah. You what? Yeah. It's pretty easy to sit here and say, oh I'm so excited for hunting season and it's gonna be the best season. Yeah. But day 7 when you still haven't found the buck you're looking for and it's snowing sideways. That's that's kinda when and that really kicks in that positive. That that endless positivity. Still Taylor, I used to literally sit on the mountain in my twenties and draft letters in my head to the vicious game.

Of how I was just gonna rip these guys down. They couldn't do anything right. I was gonna fix it all. And and and what changed for me was when I actually did what you're doing is I decided, you know what? I need to get involved And and I got involved actually on the fishing game side just as a volunteer then a volunteer program you could go to and work on these, you know, projects and work at the check station and something

like that. That changed everything for me. Now number 1, I realized there's not a whole lot fishing game can do about, you know, me scale changes in, like, yeah, you know, like, like, what 1 when... The whole west is is is experiencing declines in mule there. There's something big going on, you know, and and and and to it to narrowly think, hey. You know, just go in and make this a draw on, it's gonna fix everything. I didn't even realize what what what I was thinking. You know, and

once I begin to understand weather. And then all these are things we've talked about, you know, migration corridors and stuff that's becoming, you know, a big deal map. You know, I'm seeing this at at the federal level that are like, hey, we gotta protect this stuff. You know, that's the long game kind of stuff right there we gotta do. So anyways, Tell us what are some projects you've got going and in and around the Wood River Valley where people can get involved and and help you.

Well, that's the whole reason I initially reached out to you, Robbie is we've got a a project coming up, this coming sat not this coming Saturday well. After the podcast. Yeah. This podcast a launch on or about July sixth or seventh, and then your project is on... Saturday, July. Podcast July thirteenth instead... Thirteenth. Gotcha. Know. Just people have about 6 days to get involved after this podcast

launches. Yep. So it's gonna be a fence removal project, we're partnering with Idaho efficient game and some of their biologists there to remove some... We're we're looking to get to about 2 miles. We'll see how much we can get done, but about 2 miles of fence on Rock Creek Ranch, which is northwest of the Highway 20 and Highway 75 junction to Mh. So it's so it's West of Haley North of Highway 20. Mh. East of Fair field.

We're all we're gonna meet up at the junction of highway 20 and Highway 75, there's a rest stop in the south western quadrant of that intersection. A lot of people around here your call at the blinking light. We're we're gonna meet there at 8AM, and then we'll carp pool and from there up to the ranch and do it do the best way we can. It'll probably be well, more than a half day of work, anybody that if you have gloves, bring them, if you have fencing players bring them, if

you don't, that's okay. We've got some extra 1 loan loan pliers, loan gloves, dress rugged, wear car hearts are, you know, not your fancy dinner shirt. And we look forward to anybody that's wanting to come on to give us a hand. Alright. For the for people that don't know where the area that he's talking about. If you look at a map of Idaho. You'll see in the lower third of Idaho. There's this big u shaped open valley. We we call it the great Desert. The Big desert is what we call it.

And that's where a lot of the animals that are in Central Idaho end up to winter or very close to it. Okay. So what he's talking is on the northern edge of that at the blinking light is kinda where units. So what 48 to 50 2AI can't remember 44 kinda... They all come together right there. Mixture of, you know, kinda general, general units to the east, straw units to the west, and then to the north, like I said a lot of Idaho back. So it's a a very important area. And I and I

saw there was on other... And by way everybody, there's a threat on rock slide. Just go to the rock slide dot com forward slash forms. Go to the conservation, sub form. It's near the top. And get inside there. You'll see volunteer opportunity, July thirteenth Fence removal project, wood River chapter of the Mdf, and he's got all the details in there. But, I I want 1 of our long term members, g whiz, jumped in there and asked a question. And and I thought it was a good question

because sometimes people don't understand this. Like, well, what's the big deal about removing fence? And and I mean, he's got a point. I see Mule jump in fences all the time and, you know, all that. And for people to haven't followed the rock. Cast. It's it's a legitimate question. What's the big deal about a fence and mule their country? You're right, Robbie, it's an excellent question because it it makes the lay person might might be, like, there's 12000 fences in, you know,

hundred square miles. What's the point of removing 1. The... We're not out there just removing the fence in a random landowners owners yard. We're we're using the fishing games as through the help efficient game and their data, and just known migration corridors we're focusing on just that commonly used migration corridors where hundreds of Prong horn, hundreds of meal there, hundreds of elk,

cross every spring and every fall. So these are some of the largest migrations, all the deer that come, all the deer elk can ante envelope that come out of that those more high country units up in the Sun valley area up in the Galen Summit area. Tons of them migrate down. They cross Highway 20 and work their way into that unit 45 to the south. So we're trying to identify very specific locations and put her... You know, get the most bang for our time in our in our dollar.

Yeah. And I think that's what people don't realize how technology has changed this game. I remember hunting over there. Some of those some of those migrations you were talking about maybe in the nineties. And you just kinda knew talking to the old timers a little bit efficient game that there was a migration that occurred. If I got this right approximately East of Moons stone. Not a lot of deer move through Moons stone because of the name is as it implies. It looks like the the face of

the moon. But they kinda migrated through there. Before they got out on the desert. These were deer coming out of 48 49, getting out into 52 52 08:44. You know, you just kinda knew there was a migration there. But I don't think people realize once we put these Gps collars on deere. And we got these biologists and other helpers looking at it. We were able to identify high, high use areas. Maybe there's a migration corridor that's 10 miles wide that people have

known about. Probably going back to the Indians. People known about. But when we put these collars on, we started realizing man, they use these, 2 ridges right here. You know, 80 percent of the deer. Well, that go through this area will be on these 2 ridges. Now, on any given day, you may go there. You may only see on 10 or 20 deer and think well Is never gonna na deer. Yeah. But you times that by 10 or 20 deer, every 6 hours, 24 hours a day for a month and that's a lot of deer

coming through there. And so the way I understand what you're talking about when you say you're removing an fence, I know what you mean. There's a targeted area where this fence is having an impact on migration. We're talking mule. But can also be Elk and even Prong horn. That, the... Either... If if comp... Complete fence removal makes sense or modifying the fence, we can go to, you know, take down fences where know, they can be up a part of the year. They're easy to lay down.

That... That's what you're talking about right there. Right? Absolutely. Yep. Very specific migration corridor areas. You and that the... In addition to those Gps colors, they also use road road kill data because that's pretty. Yes. It's easy to gather to come through back. The Gps callers when there's not as many colors on the landscape. Yeah. And then the the great things happen with those with that row data. And now we're figuring

out, you know, the where to... Where where to put fence funnels where it would make sense to build an under pass, and that hasn't... Isn't and I don't wanna white scale yet, but I hope it is already happening Wyoming. We know it works. So so this is what I mean people about it making you a better deer owner. All these things right here are gonna help you with a deer honor. So Taylor hats off to you, brother. I just... It was was so excited when I got your Pm. So was Travis.

You know, he screenshot it and took it to me. He didn't know you you got a ahold of me too. Just great to see guys like you out there, saying, you know what? I'm not just gonna complain, I'm gonna do something about this. And I honestly think if if if if a bunch of us got involved at this level. You know, either starting chapters or supporting chapters, you know, whatever it takes, what we can get mule or pointed back in the right. Correction. I I truly believe that.

If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be on this microphone, a couple hours a week trying to fire people up and give them give them an alternative to just the doom and gloom that seems to be everywhere. I I appreciate that, Robbie, And there's no doubt that to when you said it's gonna make you a better hunter. I I really do believe that because it's been... It's giving me the confidence somewhere. I went about this stuff and morris spend time thinking about the find details like this.

Awesome, man. Awesome. Well, hey, the microphones is always open. Anything else we can do to help you let us know now. You know this, but I'm just gonna say the obvious. If if if you want more mule deer hunters to come out, get us in the spring. And and don't hold anything in August. We're all out there scouting. It just it just makes more of us available. Man, if this would have been 3 weeks ago, I probably would been able to

make it. But I don't think I'm gonna be able make it on July thirteenth, but some some people are very close to that Jump out there. It's only a half a day. Make you feel better. It's gonna work for Meal there. But Taylor, we root... We can't thank you enough, and I also want you to pass on a big thank you to Ross Baker as well for getting his hands dirty from mule. We'll do, Robbie. Thanks for having us on, and give a little bit advertising. You bet.

If anybody wants to get in touch with Taylor, the guy that handles his media his name is Marshall. And you can email him at marshall at mule deer dot org, and that's just the standard spelling of Marshall, MARSHALL at mule dot org get a ahold of him. If even if you can't get out on this project, you you can find other ways to support the chapter And, on the last thing, you guys will have a a winter or spring banquet. Correct?

We're not certain on a timing of our banquet if we're gonna have it this year. We're very focused on on the ground projects right now. Just a few weeks ago, prior to this, we did do our first fence removal project. And we're looking to potentially be doing some seed collection in the fall. I know it's correct during hunting season, but we're trying to... I wanna stockpile up some seed for future planning efforts. So that's what we're looking at in the short term.

We're still working on the banquet fundraising stuff later on. Excellent, man. Excellent. Well, hey, we'll help you any way we can. We sure appreciate you. Thanks, Robin. K. Talk soon, Taylor. It's time to stop dread application season. Streamline your process and find better opportunities with the help of On x hunt research tools. On x is application season tools set is filled with the data and analysis you need to build a better application plan in 20 24.

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Try on x hunt free for 7 days or go to on x maps dot com forward slash hunt, and use code rock cast for 20 percent off your new con leather. Hey everybody. Well, there was taylor Gregory from the Wood river valley chapter of the Mule Foundation. Good on him. It was great to hear from him that inspired travis, Travis and I. Good good to connect with somebody like that, but fun fact, there's over a hundred and 20 chapters of Mule deer Foundation, according to what I could find on the Internet,

That... That's a lot of chapters out there. And and remember a chapter is working locally on the ground. So, like, what Taylor talked about a fence removal project. Directly benefiting animals in that area. So if there's a chapter around your area or where you hunt, you can get involved and directly affect the animals that you hunt. So anyways, good on him. Okay. Because let's move into the the the gear segment of this podcast. We're gonna talk about Mule or gear on this episode.

This is just a 10000 foot view of the gear. I'm gonna be using for this year. And, you know, take it for what it's worth. You know, I get a lot of questions through Instagram and on Rock slide on, you know, what about this? What about that? So I just put together a list of, you know, the major stuff, You know, weapons, optics, optic support system, boots, satellite, satellite mapping, tents, sleeping bags, pad, packs, clothing,

just the major categories. And... This is just gonna be kind of a run gun, through each 1 of these. It's not a review on each piece of gear. It's it's nothing like that. But but if if if something strikes a court with you, you have a question on something You can reach out to me either through Robbie Den on Instagram, Rock slide on Instagram or rock slide Pm. It's getting into the time of year when I'm not around the computer as much. I'm probably slow to respond, but I'll certainly try

to answer. Any questions that might come up from today's episode. So let's jump into the weapons. For my bow, I'm gonna be shooting the same I was shooting last year. That's the matthews use phase 4. It was released in 20 23. You have a big review on Rock slide. If anybody's interested in at less welch is our... Matthew's guy on rock side. He did the phase 4. I think he did a 33. I'm shooting a 29. Either way, he gives you all the nuts and bolts of why that was such a

great bow last year. I think he's on to the Matthews lift right now. He's always shooting the new bows. But lot of value in the Matthews phase 4, really smooth firing bow. The first time I shot it. I thought something was wrong. It reminded me of the same feeling as when you shoot a muzzle loader and only the cap goes off, and the charge doesn't go off. That's what it felt like when I fired my first arrow off my Matthews phase 4. They're so smooth, so quiet. I really thought something was wrong.

Low shock, just a not a lot going along when that bog goes off. I can't say it made me a total better shot, but if there was AAA reason to have Target panic, you know, the like, the the guy what's his name Joel. I don't wanna his last name Scam remember right now. He... He's he's the the the the shot coach out there right now on Instagram everywhere. And he always coaching about how the brain is kinda wired to freak out when a gun gonna go off or a bow is gonna

go off. I can tell you Matthew's phase 4. Helps with that because there's just not a lot of shot going on. The matthews, you can... It's got the bridge lock system. That means everything bolts into the center of the rise So your quiver isn't poking out so far. Your site isn't poking out so far. Makes for a better balance better handling, bow. It certainly does do that. It it was a lot easier to balance that bow with my, level in my site.

I could tell right off the bat, just the way everything lines up in the center. But the the Excel fixed 5 pin is what comes with the bow, when you were from the factory. Now, you know, I can take anything with the Bridge lock system. So I just went with that. I I ran a dial pin on my previous system. And and I liked it There was no problem with it. But I'm just... The more I shot in our cold bow challenge and just the last, you know, 5, 6 years of archer realized. I'll just... Not a

very good archer. I've just realized simpler better, so I got away from the dial for a while, just shooting a straight 5 pin. 30, 40, 50, 60 yards is is are my money pins. The bottom pin, I let it float between 65 and 70. And but I don't don't plan on using that in field unless I really need. You know, I'm Cold bow has taught me 1 thing. I'm a 55 yard and in guy. You know, 55 is really the farthest III really should be shooting. And that's where I can keep most of my arrows in the

vinyl. So, the the they excel. It's a really nice sight. It comes with... I think, red green yellow pins, you know, the fiber optic, depends because I'm color blind it had a really hard time with the red and the yellow. So I bought a second site for it and had them customize it where everything was green. I I could see that green pretty good. So I just have to count fans. And well, just feel over the years, you know, I've been shooting Archer for 30 some years.

I I probably just being color wine. I never paid much attention to the pin color anyways. I just... Would Always count my pins, you know, 30, 40 50. It some people ask why I only shoot a why I shoot a 30 and out of 20. These newer bows are so flat shooting. I'm shooting a 70 pounds. I've cornered it. I'm right about that. 2 90, I think right around in there. They're... That... They shoot flat enough that I really

don't need a 20 yard pin. And going back over the years, I have not been that close to to the closest diver got to a about is Jalapeno at 18 yards. But even at 18 yards, I can still shoot my 30 yard pin on heart. And it keeps it simple. I I don't wanna go with the seventh pin site. So, anyway, as far as arrows, I'm running the iron wheel arrows, if you followed last year's podcast when only had Bill on I ordered the the easton axis match grade 5 millimeter and a 03:40 spine last year. I got

away from the gold tip. Mike, Pros that I was shooting, they were a good arrow. They really the the the micro diameter arrows really do buck the wind. If you wanna see an pros a really good 1 test.

Yeah. I'm kinda pat myself on the back here, But I I put a lot of work into it If you go to the rock side Youtube channel, and you look at that win test that I did, That's probably around 2017, 16 somewhere in there, shooting those gold tips, in 30 mile in hour winds, I shot them with both veins and feathers, and I shot them against us standard diameter arrow at that time, which were... You, I Don't remember what it was. It was, you know, what most people are shooting before the

micro came on the scene. They're probably 6 millimeter 6 and a half, something like that. And, I I shot them at 80 yards and the wind drift was was very significant. You can jump jump on rocks I looked that up, and and and you can see that the microbes do make a difference. Well, 5 millimeter. I I don't consider it a micro, it's kind of in between the microbes and the old standard diameter arrows. That's what I went with. You know, so I'm getting a little more lin drift, but the tough.

They're such a tougher arrow. I really like those gold tips, gold tip. I'm not trying to throw into the bus, but, you know, those microbes that I had. I I was going through a lot of them. You know, I just... If, you know, if you use the wrong pin, you hit the back the backstop stop, you, hit the ground or something. I I was just, you breaking more of them. And and I still shot them for, like, 5 years. I mean, I really like

the arrows. But now that I've gone to these 5 millimeters are a tough enough arrow for a guy that's hits the backstop sometime that I... That I'm not just replacing so many arrows. I did go with the, the the hit insert 25 grains. I think my balance point of my arrows, my Fo is right at. 15 percent. I might be 14 right around in there. I, you know, I I didn't go too far off the chart on that because I By I don't know. I listened that argument

for years and guys getting above 15. It it just didn't seem to make a a big difference with me. I tried it with different... Heavier points, 01:20 five's of stuff like that. It just wasn't making a big difference. So I'm right around 15 percent Fo, I did the iron wheel hybrid hunter veins. I like them. The only thing I didn't like is they only come in white, so, my cock feather, I had to use a sharpie. To find my cock feather. I think Iron wheel was working on getting

a different colored than thing. So you could you could, mark your cock feather, but Anyways, I'm gonna run the 7 1.5 tie expendable again this year. I've gone back and forth between the iron wheel. 100 standards, Adam for years. I'd like them. That they shoot just fine. They really do. But, I'm looking for any edge, III can have. And when Idaho legalize the expendable,

I went that direction. I I know you're given up may may maybe a little bit impact on the expendable, but they just give me a little bit more margin of error. If I'm not doing everything, I'm I'm perfectly at the shot and if, you know, I practice all summer. I I shoot 3DI do that kind of stuff. And you know, you're flat foot. Sometimes you get down on 2 knees and you shoot, but hunting, it just seems like you're you're never in an ideal position, So I'm looking for any edge I

can. So Iron will. As soon as you come out with an expandable. I'm game. I missed the cold challenge this year, cup couple of things that happened. I lost my sweet daddy. In May, and that was during the cold challenge. He'd been sick for a long time, and I haven't I haven't talked about it much on the rock cast because I don't wanna get choked up But I'll tell you this. He was a good good father. And I lost you in early May right as the challenge was getting up and going.

And I also got bur side really bad in my in my shoulder. This is funny. My wife's is gonna be mad, then I'm a tell you guys this, but she got really sick in April. And, you know, we were going through heck back in April Taking care of my dad, and she got sick. I mean, our lives were just turned upside down. And, I was sleeping on the couch because she was sick she was coughing all. And I couldn't get any sleep. Well, our couch

is kinda narrow. So I sleeping on my side for 3 or 4 nights in a row, and man that just set me off. It just did something to my shoulder. It I went to the doctor. It turned out to Bieber scientist. You know? I mean, she's what... I mean this is old man stuff. You know, you sleep on the couch and you get. Jimmy, I used to sleep on the couch for months at a time when I was a kid, and, you know, you... It couldn't hurt me. Now I get Versailles. I could... I could, I... It was in my it

was in my bow arm. And so it hurts so bad. I could draw my bow. I just couldn't hold my bow. So I I had to step out of the Cold challenge. And I I missed the whole thing. Thank you, Howard me for stepping up. I'm taking the lead post and the cold challenge. Whenever you're the lead shooter in the cold challenge us to first post everybody sees. There's so much pressure there. And it's embarrassing and you miss. Most years I miss. I just

embarrassed myself. So, Howard, I I thank you very much for for taking the lead, and you embarrassing yourself this year. And on a side note for everybody, the Cold challenges is over right now, but the thread is still on our Archer tree sub form, jump in there, Howard and I are gonna have a shoot off here in the next week or 2. My shoulders feeling good. I'm I'm I'm shooting again. I started back with my Athens bow. I I could turn it down just, as, 60 pounds, and, started for about a week

shooting for that. Switched over to my matthews about a week and a half ago, I'm shooting 5 to 10 arrows with no problem in the shoulder. So Howard and I are gonna have a shoot off. He he didn't hit a hundred percent on the cold bow this year. I think he dropped a couple arrows, at least 1 arrow out of the 3. I didn't even get a shoot. So we're gonna we're gonna have shoot off. And I told Howard. Pack a lunch brother. I'm gonna out shoot you. He's gonna pick his Me r. I'm gonna pick mine, 1 They

may not be the same. If, you know, it's it's totally in the spirit of the challenge. Whatever you think your maximum distances, you get 1 arrow a day. No practice. No warm up, just like hunting. You shoot that arrow, and then you gotta take 24 hours off. Give me a calendar day off. And then you can shoot again. So how hour and I are gonna do it, and I'm coming after your buddy. I'm coming after you. So be ready. Okay. For my rifle for this year, I I wanna let everybody know. I've I've

joined a Cult. Alright. I've I've joined the cult. Some of you already know what I'm talking about. The whole 223 for elk, deer and bear thread on rock side. I got sucked into it, And I watched it... I think it's over a million views now on Rock site. It's 1 of the biggest threads ever were on Rock side. Our friend, Chris from North Idaho started that thread. He had been thoroughly testing 223 caliber on on Deer elk, bear and just... The way everything works out, just what a small world this is.

I sold a a moose hunt. On 1 of our ranches here. Oh, I think it was in 2000, a lady had drawn moose tag. And they just wanted access to Ranch. Didn't wanna be guided. Just just a place to hunt moose and hung on their own. And so she come out in the summer. I showed her around the ranch. You know, just to click a half a day took her up there. You know, the the moose would be in different spots by by the time their hunt came around, I shoulder a hunt here,

hunt there. Just showed them where they'd be staying in kinda stayed in touch with with them throughout the summer. And it just so happened the week that they were hunting. I wasn't even in town. I was in, I think it was in Colorado Deer running. But I stayed in touch with them on the end reach. Just make sure they didn't have

any questions about the ranch. You know, I've done done self guided ranch hunts for years for guys, and Usually if you're just available for questions each day, you know, self guided hunters. They they don't want you to hold their hand. You know, but they may have a question on, hey, what about this fence or know, what about access here or and stuff like that. So I was staying in touch with her throughout the week. And and, you know, moose was not easy. They were

there, like, 6 or 7 days. She brought a, you a couple of friends and and follow me here. This is what a small world it is. They they kill a moose on, like, the fifth or sixth day, a nice moose and ended up having a busted off ant, but it was still a great moshe she worked her butt off. I was proud of her. And so as worked text them back and forth. I'm like, by the way, I never did ask you, What do you hunt with? It's just, 0A223I

just about dropped the un reach. I'm like, you shot a moose of the 223, You know, I I just... I just couldn't believe. I couldn't argue it. They got it. You know, I I quick recovery, all that stuff. No problems there. That was my first... Exposure to somebody hunting big big game with a small caliber rifle. Well, as time goes on, I kinda put the pieces of the puzzle together. Her husband was Chris, the guy that started that thread on rock slide. And, you know, so I'm reading through this

thread on Rocks. If you haven't run it, it's in our firearms forms, 223 for Elk Moose, Deer, I think is what it's called Go look at it. Any and and he made the case on why shooting a small caliber for a big game is not a, a disadvantage. It's an advantage. And then Rocks slide personality form, that's his screen name. It I think his whole screen names is, like, but none of us can pronounce it. So we just calling form. He is a real person. He really is even though we go by his screen name.

He's a real person. And he... Because he was involved in... Coal operations with different government agencies over the years. He shot thousands of animals. K. Now a lot of people don't believe that, but he has and he also has this whole angle on why shooting a small caliber is better for big game. And so, you know, I kinda that was just kinda noise on the site for a couple of years, but when they got my attention was when last year. My business partner, c owner wide, Ryan Avery,

put away the magnum. I mean, this guy was shooting big magnum 03:38, Edge hp, you know, that kind of stuff, he put it away and he started hunting with A6U. That's... I think Stands unknown munitions. That's just a proprietary caliber. They they invented, you know, unknown munitions, Northern Idaho, Rock light advertiser, for Ryan's on their podcast all the time, and, the, he switched over to the 6 U, think of like a 02:40 weather b mag.

Alright? And I mean, you guys, this is, like, mind bending for Ryan Avery, the the longest confirmed kill on a big game animal with anyone I personally know, going from big rifles to little rifles. And that's what he switched to last year, killed a heck of a 6 point bull last year with it. And I was on the, unknown munitions podcast, jump on there. I think it's back in, I don't know, February. Be ready. It's rated at r for language, but it's a good podcast.

And Jake, who's Jake Shannon, the owner of unknown munitions and then Ryan avery. They got me in the studio, and we just kinda banter back and forth on the big caliber versus small caliber stuff. And they won the argument, and I decided to join the coat and go with small caliber. And so I'm gonna be switching from my 2 70 Winchester Short Magnum, down to the 6 U un. I think Ryan's gonna have me shooting a hundred and 7 grain bullet. It might be a little bit bigger than

that. I can't quite remember than a while it did like guess. I don't have the gun yet. But it's gonna have the new rock stock. It's gonna be in 6AM. I'm personally probably just gonna still stay with a hash mark scope. And probably go with the Sw z 5, the same scope I'm shooting on my 2 70 Winchester Short, Magnum, And, but the advantages of the small caliber less recoil, spot your shots, and, you know, recoil just I talked about it in the bowl in in in Archer

tree segment. That recoil is is is an accuracy killer. A lot of people don't believe it is. But just in the last couple of weeks, I've got a muzzle break for my 2 70. I I hate muscle brakes. For hunting, because I don't wanna wear your ear protection. But I went to the range, put my muzzle brake on my 2 70 and, just played with it for a little while, And and, yeah, it it's sure nice Not dealing with a lot of recoil and having the opportunity to spot your shots. It makes a big big difference.

And so anyways, that's my my plan on the rifle now. Remember, going from a big caliber to a small caliber is not totally foreign to me. I did this back in 2015 for those of you that have got out my second book honey Big Mule. And there's a chapter in there. This says goodbye. 7 M Remington Magnum, Hello 2 70 Winchester Shore Magnum. That was my first time dipping my toe in the water, of moving from AAA big heavy caliber to a smaller caliber. And the reason I did that

I love a 7 my. You're never gonna hear me dish on the 7 Mag. I killed almost all my big deer. Well, like, the last 6 I killed the 2 70 But prior to that the previous... 20 25, it killed with a 7 mag, and, very happy with it, but it was punishing. It was okay when I was shooting 10 pound guns, But over the years as I as started as shooting wider guns and, you know, getting down into the, you know, 7 pound gross range, including a scope with a gun.

7 mag were punishing. And then plus over the years, we've all gone to heavy for caliber bullets because they they typically do shoot better. And so, you know, back in the old days, I was shooting 01:40 fives, spares, while, you know, 1 01:50... Oh, I can't remember the bullets I shooting in the 01:50 range. But, then then pretty soon I'm shooting 01:60 spares. And then before I got rid of my myself and Mag shooting 1 68 barns.

You know? I mean, tac drivers. These these heavy bullets are, but you put a 168 grain bullet in a 7 pound rifle, you pay on the other end. And I always thought, I'm not that recoil sensitive, but once you start shooting lighter guns, you realize you are recoil sensitive. And if you were to shave my... My right eyebrow off. I think I've been to the hospital twice for stitches at least once. I can't remember, but at least once. But 2 or 3

really bad scope bites over the years. And even when you try to be careful and get, you know, get a scope with good eye relief, I've always done that, you get into weird hunting positions. You're gonna get scoped that with a big rival. I already told you, I don't like muzzle brakes. I don't like. A lot of times I'm shooting on the ground. I don't like all that blast into the dirt blowing back in my face. I don't wanna have to mess with ear

protection in the heat of the moment. I realize it's not that big of a deal, but You know, when you when when you grow up shooting without them, it's it's hard to jump over and start using muzzle brakes. Plus as an outfit, you learn to hate muzzle brakes because you get your ears blown out. So often. You... Because you... You know, you just don't remember to plug your ears every single time. Boy, it does not take much when somebody shooting a muzzle brake, to

get hurt. So, By go into the 2 70 which winchester Short Magnum, that got me back down into the hundred and 30 to hundred and 40 grain bullet range. And they impact, excuse me, the recoil was notable. I think it was about 24 to 26 foot pounds of recoil with 7 mag. The 2 70 Winchester short got me down in the low twenties. You know, it dropped me 15 20 percent. It was noticeable. It really was. It was... And made the gun a little bit easier to shoot. Although I still got scope at once. I've...

I've was shooting at a coyote and, got my got my head too far forward and still bit me. Makes you so mad when you do that. But anyway, so, a long time ago, I started realizing the man a big heavy magnum, especially for me. That was your thing too. That time in my life, I decided I'm only hunting mule. You know, back when I first got a 7 meg, and I was hunting everything, and, you know, I just thought, I gotta have a bigger gun for Elk. Although be ready.

Form and Chris or making excellent cases that you don't need those big punishing caliber for those big animals either. So, anyways, I know I know some of you are, like, This is a bunch of bull crap. I'm un unsubscribe from this podcast. I'm never gonna come back. Robby joined a nicole. You're right. I have. But I'm gonna give it a shot this year with with the

sixth. Qm. The only thing that's something the air is, there's a big rush on rock stocks, and my gun may not be done in time for Hunting season Ryan, and Jake are trying to get all the members guns out the bought before me and all that stuff. So, you know, mine's mine may not make it in time for hunting season if it doesn't. I'll just run the 2 70 Winchester short Mag. That's in a Christian sun arm, summit tie. That's a 7 pulling 7 pound, 10 ounce gun, I think, 12 ounce, shooting

the sw z 5. I'm totally comfortable going back to that I killed 6 big bucks with it I killed every single big buck I pointed at, no wounding loss with that gun. Feel too with it. I'm very happy with it. But if I get the the the 6 With the rock stock, you know, before it gets too late in summer because I wanna spend, you know a lot of range time with it. That's what I'll be on with. Okay. Optics. For my scouting, Chest, I will be running again, the Z 10 by 40 2SF. It's tripod

adaptable. For it's it's it's a small framed. I wouldn't quite call it a contact although we throw that that that around, you know, contact to me as the old ones you... Sticking your shirt pocket. It's nothing like that. But in it's it's smaller than a lot of these would become accustomed to, you know, the standard sized chest and I really like Having that tripod adaptability. And I don't mind tens for scouting because a lot of times I have time to

sit down. You know, I'm not still hunting like I am in in the fall. So I'm comfortable running the tens. But once I move into fall, I'm gonna be running my... Swirl 8 by 42 El range. That's the ta a's tracking assistant that came out about 3 years ago. And and by the way, on all these products that I'm mentioning, unless I say so, they are advertising on rock slide in somewhere way or the other. That that means I could have got a discount on the gear, comp or, you know, some of some of

this gear I bought just full price. I don't keep track of it all. But I'm just letting you know the full disclosure, some of these companies advertise on Rock lite. If they don't, I'll let you know. Because I do use lots of non non advertiser gear on there. But z is a sponsor, but I paid for the 10 by 40 twos with my own money. I got a writer's discount probably, like, 30 percent off or something like that.

The swirl 8 by 42 range Ta. I traded them for them back in, oh, I think they came out in 20 21, 20 22, and I love them. I'm still shooting them 3 or around them 3 years later. There is a, review on those on our rock slide, Youtube channel. If you wanna go look and see how that Ta technology works. It's basically, you could shoot a Pin across Canyon. If you're shot a deer over there and you could walk right to that pin. As long as you keep your back, Bin calibrated,

that does work. I realize that technology has been duplicated in some of the satellite mapping apps and everything. But it sure is nice to have it on your chest if needed. Even though you don't use it a whole lot. It's not a gimmick. It does work. You just don't use it a whole lot. As far as spotting scope this year. I'm gonna be running the sw 17 to 40 by 56. But last year, I ran in the Atc, which is the angled this year, I've switched everything over to the

straight. If you haven't followed the podcast very long, this is why. When I hunt with Travis Hobbs, he's goes straight on everything because it's faster. And I knew that before, I just like the angled, you know, neck comfort stuff like that. I got used to finding animals at the angle didn't think it took that much longer. But once I hunted with Travis, he sees double the game that I see. We can go out on a hunt, and he'll see twice the deer that I see.

And he usually is picking the ones up that are more obscure that than I am. 2 things I think that are going on. My eyes are 20 years older than him. Not a lot I can do about that. But part of it is he is so fast on the glass. And having a straight spotter makes you fast. This is why. Angled means you're changing your tripod height. When you're going from your bin

to your spotter. And I always have the option to put my bin on a tripod, even my 8 by 42 El ranges, I have the outdoors 1 stud installed in so I can run them on a tripod. So you're always switching between the 2 when you're doing that. Well, that takes a few extra seconds to raise and lower your tripod. And in the game of big mule deer, and in the twilight. They don't spend a lot of time in the open. And I knew this before I started home with Travis, but I think I just...

It wasn't so apparent to me that those critical seconds that I'm losing adjusting the tripod are costing me a buck every couple years. And when I say cost you about, maybe it's not so much that you didn't get the book. But if you listen to Travis Dion podcast that came out lost last week excellent podcast by the way, guys. They they took Travis talks about sitting on a buck for 3 days that he thought was big. I only got to look at it for a few seconds when went in

the timber. And and so he sat on it for 3 days, trying to get in another look at it. And then when he ended finding it, it didn't turn out to be a shooter. That cost him 3 days right there. And that's happened to me before. It's also happened to me when a deer just gets in the timber. I can tell by the body size it's big, and I don't get to look at his handlers, and you just never know what you missed. And and sometimes Even if you stick around for 3 days, you

don't get a look at them. So So it cost you it cost you animals in that way. So you really gotta pay attention to it. K? Qr r, got quick release plates are for real. You gotta have them. We'll talk a little bit more about that when get into tripod pods here. So about back to the spotter, for for this year, I'm gonna run the 17 to 40 sw by 56. Their their their their compact spotter. But I got it in straight.

C's for sale, watch it in the rock slide class it's in there, are gonna be in there and then I switched my sw. Ats my 80 millimeter, I switched it also to a straight. So I'll have the big spotter for big work. And then the little spotter, it's always with me is the great thing about the little spotter, The big spotter. I have to kinda have to plan to take that. Like, hey. This certain area I'm going to. I can see 2 miles or more I want the big spotter.

But the little spotter, it's almost always with me. That's what I like about in a for those of you that have followed my optics for a while. I was for a compact spot running the Nike, the Nikon Ed d 50. I've had a few people asked me hey what happened to that? Thanks. And And III forgot about it because I was so excited about the swirl when it came out last year. And I just quit using the Nikon icon. Sorry an icon. That was a great You know scope

for the weight. It's actually still lighter than the swirl. Noticeably lighter, even a little bit more compact, but the sw optical performance was so much better, especially in the digit scoping department. I I finally left my an icon. That'll be on the rock slide. Classified as well. Watch for it. Good little scope, a lot of value, but the this world will beat it enough that that's what I went with it. You pursue them. You cherish them, and now it's time to protect them this. Is the Mule

Foundation. Our mission is the conservation of Mule deer Black tailed deer and their habitats the heart and soul of the west. Join the herd today and help us preserve the legacy of these majestic creatures for generations to come. Your membership supports essential conservation projects, research initiatives and educational programs it's a your a future from Mule deer and Black tailed deer, our dear, our heritage, our responsibility. Don't just witness their journey. Be a part of it.

Join the herd together, we can make a difference. Visit mule dot org today. Let's see. On the tripod pods, I'm still using my faithful slick 06:24. I know if travis is this this podcast. He's like, man. He hates that tripod potty. He saw me using in a couple years. He bought it. They're a slick little tripod, but he's just I mean, he's got the hands. He can't run the twist locks. You know, he just couldn't get used to it. He just he just didn't like it. But here I am.

5, 6 years later. I could use any tripod on the market in a compact tripod. I still think the Slick 06:24, Wednesday the day. I like twist locks because I can pull it out of my pack easily compared to the lever locks. They're, like little hooks on your tripod. So when you pull your tripod out of your pack, everything comes with it, your coat and, your glass pad, you know, all that stuff comes out. Travis so that wasn't that big of the deal. So he's still running lever locks. It's

okay, man. I still love you. But I'm still gonna run that slick, for this year. However, yeah. The mountain hunter, from altitude outdoors. These are the guys that are in Aft Wyoming, Brad Carter. They've released their own proprietary tripod. I think it came out this spring. It may not be on this site just let me pull up here. Yes. He did answer me. This this tripod is available. I'll give you how to find it just a minute.

Let me back up on the slick. By the way, the Slick is only available through Sn sr tree or rock site advertiser. They they have they have exclusive rights on that tripod. A lot of other place a cell slick. They just don't sell that little 1. But the mountain hunter back to the mountain hunter, it's designed to compete with the slick, other compact tripod pods. And I got mine, I believe in March, and I've had it out probably about 3 or 4 times.

Glass side by side with the slick, and I this... I can tell you this about it. K? It's it's a lightweight tripod. And it's a very simple tripod. Both these are carbon fiber tripod, and It comes with its own head, so backing up to the slick. On the slick, I'm running the outdoors pam head. Okay. That's a good match for that. I've had a bt t... Even a Bt x on on on the slick. It's not ideal, but it can handle it with that outdoors and pan head.

The mountain hunter from from, from altitude outdoors comes with their nano pro fluid head. And they... Their their tripod is called the Mountain Hunter Shore stack. Mountain Hunter Ss. And so... I'm not gonna give you the the the the breakdown of every piece, but when you put them all together, the Slick he twist locks, the mountain Hunter has twist locks. K? They both stand, to roughly 45 inches. So they're not they're not standing tripod

pods. They're not for standing glass unless you can put a hump in front of you K? But they're they're great for sitting, you know, sitting on a log. They're they're right in that kind of what you expect on a compact tripod. The slick. Is 8 ounces heavier legs only, than the mountain hunter. K? So the slick is actually heavier in the legs, the mountain hunter is lighter, k? If you compare their height when they're broke down, the legs are slid together.

This matters to me, maybe it doesn't matter of very many people, but I run a small day pack. Or I don't like big stuff. I'm in the back country. So I wrote a small day pack, we'll talk about it here in a minute. And the slick, when it's collapsed is 4 inches shorter than the mountain hunter. K? Think comes out, like, 24 inches something like that. So it's 4 inches shorter, so it'll fit

in a smaller pack. Alright? If that doesn't matter you run a full size backpack, then the the slick wouldn't be an advantage. Because the mountain hunter only has... 2 sections, the slick has 3. So the trade off on that is on the mountain hunter. You only have to take the time to adjust 2 sections. With the slick, you have to take the time to adjust 3, but it gives you a more compact type that that doesn't really matter once it's out of your pack. Okay?

So the slick is 8 ounces heavier in the legs, the mountain hunter comes with that nano pro fluid head. It is a nice head. Okay? And I I weighed everything out. Let's see if I can read my notes here. The mountain Hunter head is 10.7 ounces. The outdoors head is 17.6 ounces. So, man, that's A67 ounce... 7 ounce difference in there. Almost 7 ounce difference. It's noticeable. The Nano Pro, I haven't totally bitten off on it only because this is what I've only had it out for times. Keep in

mind. My... Outdoors pan head. I mean it's got... I think I got the thing in 2018. Hundreds of days it's got on. So, you know, I can comment on durability. It's function and everything all I can call in on the mountain hunter on the nano head is it's is its function and and it's great. It's an our Arc swiss plate where the mountain excuse me the... Outdoors is their proprietary quick release. So, you know, you... Whatever you go with, you just want your whole system to match that.

You know, if you don't want, to to mix Qr plates. Trust. Don't ask me how I know. You just don't wanna do. It's very inefficient. K? So I'll be running the slick and the mountain hunter this year. Depend on what I'm doing. I I envision I'll be running the mountain hunter during scouting season. But when I go to the hunting season, and I'm using my day back all the time. I'm sure it'll be the slick. Talking about Qr,

a quick release game. It is real. And I talked about like Travis is better a spotting game than me and that's 1 of the things he has as he been faster. And the Qr plates. If you're not running a Qr, manual or so 19 nineties, you gotta... Whatever system you run, you gotta have a Qr plate. And it just allows you, to switch between bin marketers and spotting scope quickly or just get your spotting scope out and get it on the tripod

that much quicker. K? Most people are using them, but where I see guys get lazy is they have 1 type of Qr played on 1 optic, 1 type of Qr receiver on a on a tripod. Know, every time they go somewhere, they're getting out the Allen wrench. Don't ask me how I know. And taken all this time, you to make all these switches or worse yet. They just get out on the mountain and go, my my bin Qr doesn't fit my my,

spotter Qr. So the Qr game will save you critical seconds, whatever you decide to do, make sure everything's the same across all optics and all tripod pods. K? But on the Mountain Hunter, I've gotta go with with the Arc, and that's why I... I'll probably run it a little bit more this summer, but unless I really fall in love with. I'll be switching back to the outdoors in default. Now, I guess there's probably a way to stick the outdoors when Qr plate on the our Arc swiss.

I don't know. I don't have it in front of me. But you know, IIII definitely can say a lot of guys are gonna like that Mountain Hunter even if I don't switch. If you want the Mountain Hunter, Let's see. I... I've got the link here. I'm not gonna reach it some Https, blah blah blah. But just just go to the out altitude outdoors. Store. Heck, just jump on chat, Gp or Google, and and you'll find it. And by the way, the Mountain hunter. They're not a sponsor

altitude does not advertise with us. I'm just always willing to try really good gear, especially if guys are are brave enough to it to me and let me compare it to a known like the slick. So anyways, that's what I know about it. I can't comment under durability Have I've only had it out a few times, but it seems pretty good? Okay. Moving into boots. I'm still running the Ken card scramble. Ken trick is not an advertiser with rock side, but I like their boots. And I have a really wide foot,

really, a 4. I've had I've had it for years. I have a shrek foot. And the Ken hard sc. They just like my feet. This is my second pair I got my first pair in 2017 when they were advertising with us, and I I got those comp. But I like them so much that when I wore those out, I think I got about 4 seasons out of them. I went ahead and and and and bought another pair. And so I'm on my second pair. Really happy with them. They're they're a very durable boot. They're they're they're a mid height he.

Full leather, you know, they got around and everything. They're a tough tough boot. But they're also a hard boot, not a lot of flex in them. I tend to stumble around a lot in them just because I don't think I feel the ground as well. So... But but I still continue to go back to him because just great ankle support, you know, my ankles are getting older now. I get a little bit arthritis in my right ankle. They're just good on my feet. So I so I continue to wear them.

But and and they're and they're they're very durable. They're very happy with them. I've never lost any waterproof in them. Even my first pair I think it went 4 seasons. I could still wear them out in wet snow as long as I had a gate on, they were fine. But this year, I went ahead and bought with my own money, the Crispy Summit to the Gtx x's. Kris wasn't advertisers with with us for years are not currently right. Now Hey, Kendall, We know you're out there, man.

We appreciate all the support over those years. They're trying some different. Right now That's all good. But I love Crispy, and I went ahead with my own money, and I bought the summit. I've only worn them just casually. So far. I've actually had them since April easy break in, man. Easy break in. There there's more flex in that boot. That's 1 reason I went with them. I'll probably be definitely wearing them for both season, you know, and they're they're really good for

not back and weight and everything. I I just... Just haven't had them in the hills. They still look really good. And I've been wearing them on carpet but wearing them to show stuff like like that, but I I can say it would give you a pretty easy break in. For my pack boot, I'm gonna be running the S sc hunter 2 pack boot. I've had those since 2008. They're a rebuild pack boot. For those of you that don't know what a pack boot

is a pack boot. Still means you can take the liner out, which is key to warm feet, because you can actually get your liner dry at night. You can wear them to bed and you wake up in the morning, and they're dry, even if the boots not totally dry. And you slip it back into there. So I'll be running those again this year. I've had them rebuilt. I think 3 times, and, totally

working. They're probably on their last rebuild. As far as satellite, gear mapping, I'm running On x, On x. As you know, they're a sponsor, an advertiser on the podcast love those guys. I really feel like they're the best that are out there. If you go back on rock site you'll see over the years. I tried competitors, gave them an honest a shot. I some good stuff out there.

There really is, but ultimately, I came back to on x. Probably 1 of the biggest reasons all my friends had On x it was really hard to share information across apps, And, I I just I just really have stuck with my on x... I'm a slow learner when it comes to technology. The only regret I had with on x was not learning all these features earlier.

So if you've been kinda lazy with your On x and you're only just marking way points and everything on there, really make a commitment to to use all those features this year. Jump into the satellite mapping sub forum

on Rock lite. On x is actually on there daily or at least weekly, answering questions, you'll see the threads that are on there about On x. That's a great way to get right to the top and and talk somebody about it and plus get member input, you know, when you you can open a chat with them on their on their app, But, you know, you're just talking to the to that guy. But if you do it on rock side, you get all the members helping you too. So I'll be

running on x again for that. For my satellite communication, I'm gonna be running the in reach many, and reaches, Garmin is not an advertiser I've been running that. I think since 2019. The minis everything I need it connects to your phone. Your phone becomes the screen so you can save. All that room off of off of the bigger and reaches were we're out there. It's it's

done everything I need to do. It's probably not quite as user friendly because you gotta look it up your phone and everything, But once you get over that hump. It's it's the most compact to way, communication. I know of, I love love the cost. It's pretty reasonable and the ability to just switch plans. I think I'm just on the 15 dollar month plan right now. That's what I keep through the winner when I'm not out in the field very much. You can send a few tech stuff like that.

But as I move into fall, and I'm in the Hills more. I I switch over it's about 60 bucks a I'm month unlimited text stuff like that. Because I'm typically running my businesses. At that point. So I'm answering multiple text per day. I still have the old spot. I run that in my airplane. Just, you know, that does not a 2 way communication, but, know, if there was a true emergency and I need somebody to be able to find me. That's a great way to do it. And then I can just leave it

in the. And don't have to take it in and out. Tenth. You I'm gonna run again the stone, skyscraper 2 man. I've been running that since 2018, a few holes in the floor where I've set up on Sharp rocks. But mh zipper all still work good. Tent is fully functional. We've done multiple reviews on that. Look for Josh. Boys reviews on Rock slide he's East and done that for us. It's just a good

solid lightweight tent. For my fall tense, when I need a stove, I'm still back to the seek outside 8, man, happy with that. Gosh, that thing is going on hundreds of days in the hills you guys. It's holding up well. I'm been very happy with it. Sleeping bags. I'm spoiled rotten with sleeping bags. I've got to test so many over the years. And at the top of the heap, I've kept the ones I really like, which has been the stone glacier and the K, the stone glacier Chill. And then the C

you. I don't think K u has a model on that. It's just their c super down. Great bags. I think the choice between the 2 kinda gets down to the C use a little tighter bag for my size. The stone glacier seems to have a little bit more room neck and net on warmth. I I... If you look at some of of our... If you look at our rock side Youtube channel, I I put them through water tests, these new bags

don't be afraid of a down bag. You know, unless you're hunting maybe the most damp wet part of the Pacific Northwest during rainy season, I would not be afraid of a down bag and exposing the drier climates to the West. I've just... I've never sold 1. And it's not so much that the down is that much better. It probably is, but they've just built the bag, so water doesn't get them them in the first place. For a sleeping pad, on 55 so, you know, my sleeping pads gotta be good. No

more thin, little sleeping pads for me. And I I went with the x bed mega mat back in 2019, Ex bet is not a rock site advertiser paid for that amount of money. Still running that same pad. Every time someone comes to camp, and they see my pad. 2 things have. First of all, they laugh? Like, what kind of old guy packs in a full size mattress? This this old guy. And and and by the way, it it rolls down to about the size of a liter of pop. So it's it's not that big. And comes with a really cool pump

sack. Where it's easy to pump up, but I'm still using the same 1 from 2019. I don't know, a hundred days on it never have popped a hole in. Now, of course I'm careful. I run a I run a a ground cloth and everything, and and, you know, careful where I set it up, but I've never poked a hole in it. Then very happy with it. Might take a little bit longer to set up than some of the other mats. But man you get a good nice sleep in those things. I

wouldn't trade it for the world. And 55 years old, still sleeping on the ground, 30 to 60 days a year. Part of that is that bad. Okay? Packs. I've mentioned my day pack. That's my N Apex day pack. It's 12 years old now. 13 seasons 12 years old. I've been so happy with that N rod. They were an advertiser way back in the day. They're not anymore. I looked on their website today. They still build that same. Pack. I've been very happy

with it. It's a modular pack. You can make it bigger if you want, add things to it. I just go with the standard day pack. I've been very happy with it. You can get a slick. Tripod in it with an outdoors pan head and, a Sw off compact spotter, although I've I got my 80 millimeter in there before too. Get your lunch. You can get your survival gear in there, you know, basic stuff. It's just a good solid. Back. It's fleece. It's quiet.

I mean, it's probably time for a new 1, but it's just hard to get rid stuff that works clothing. My early season stuff. I've been running the sick Apex system. So since 2018. You know, I'm not a big time. I probably 08:12 days a euro bowl hunting. Very happy with it Never had to replace a single piece in it. I got everything head to toe, outer layer, to base layer. Although I don't have their puppy or anything like that, but, I can't remember the name of their sure but just their Apex hoodie.

That's what I wear on the outside. But the pants, the knee pads, they're just designed well. When you knee down, the knee pads are where they're supposed to be. The the the... There's 2 hoodies in that line. I just mentioned the the outer wanna camera remember with the anyone's called. But, I love the sun protection. You know, when when when you get in your fifties, you realize just how bad you beat your skin up over the years. Not protecting yourself from

the sun. And, you know, you get in the high country, there's less atmosphere to filter out the Uv. You just get hair... Man getting all these spots on my nose and my face and everything. I I wish I to take better care of myself when I was young. But the sun protection is offered by, by this system is great. The hoods, you know, wear your hood, it it just makes a difference. And, you know, plus it just helps in the whole

camouflage thing. I do have to drop my hood to hit my anchor points and everything, But, you know, 99 percent of your hunt. Really 99.9 percent of your hunt. You you need to wear your hood, you know, and and it's gonna make make a difference. And so I've also had good luck with the cryptic Son sun shirt for sun protection. Wear that for scouting and everything. But, anyway, sun protection where it's at. So Apex, also has their belt and run the sick belt a very simple belt. No buckle just

a clip. It's just fine. Though. Never failed me. I also run their synthetic base layers. Can't remember what the name of that, what they call that material, but it does work. It's not quite as comfortable as merino, but it does work. And I can tell you this on the base layers. Size up. The base layers are always a little tight on me. Even if I order them in the right size. Same size as the pants they run a little tight.

So for the later seasons, I'm a first light guy just because they were 1 of the original advertising on the site still are. I know their system's really well. I've run the the the puffy on Comp. Right. I'll tell you right now. Not the toughest puffy that's out there. I go through 1 for about every 3 or 4 years, but they're a alive. Probably 3 years to be fair. They're a lightweight, puffy. They're warm. You could you can have a good push in them and get rid of a lot

of moisture. It, you know, I'm sure there's other great puppies out there, but I've just really become comfortable with him. I I think I've been running puppies. There since 2013. I'm probably on my sixth 1. You know, III go through a lot of them, but they're they're really good. Their their ob upstate pant is the main pant that I run. In the later season This replaced their old junky can pack. I love the Can. Temperature regulation was great. Was a mint merino wool

pat. They were just as tender as a Dan land. Though, You could you could ruin a, ruin a para ads in 1 hunt. I'll, I'll be honest if I wasn't get them for free. I probably would never run them in the first place. But But then once I switch to their ob city, they definitely tough them up, you can still rip them, but I'm I went through 2 full seasons on my ob city. Last year, I ran a piece of brush through 1 leg on them, riding a horse. That's always tough on pants.

Still didn't tear the pan. But can I used to get a little hole in them, and you know, in an hour, it was the size of a softball? The the Ob can contain a tear, and I was able to get back to Camp, get it sewn up, and I'm still gonna run that. Same pair this year. But I love the temperature regulation of of the ob city and that kind collapsed style pants with the mix and merino and everything in there. It's just just the good comfortable pants. No swamp ness. I run all first slate

base layers been very happy with those. Gator. Let's talk about Gate a little bit, first light runs as 2 different. They probably have more than 2, but I've used to. The traverse. That's a small hiking boot gator about as big of a boot. You can get it over is think of, like, a Sc bridge, Ken trek, hard gravel, the... Some of the smaller, Kris. It'll it'll run on those. They're great. I did... III did a review on those. Traverse 2 point 0III asked Chad Gp to find that review, and

it founder me a later today. By the way, guys, if you're not using Chad Gp, it's better than Google. Go test that out. But chad Found that review. It's still out there. Very happy with those. I'm still running that same set that I reviewed in there. Very happy. Love how it keeps your. Your pant legs protected, and you're not tearing your pants so much, Little extra water protection, keep water from going down in in your boots.

You can step in the creek. Can you get stand in the You know, they're not waiters, but you can step in the creek, not get it over your booth if you're just running through, I've been very happy with them. For the later season, I've ran their Bra, Streak my big complaint of of of these and all of the bigger gate is noise. They're just noisy. They're not good for deer hunting. But I've never found an all police skater. That's really what you need that had a good zipper system, a good

system to secure to the boot. I've just never found 1, so I I kinda put up with them. Backing up to the traverse. They're very quiet. Last piece of gear I got on here, been running up for a year. I wanna mention it. It's con... The Ka Wind river wind shirt or wind jacket. They came out last year. There's a full review on Rock slide. I think Mike Moore did it. Again, hit just just hit chat chat Gp If it comes up. If not, just jump on the rock side page. But very happy

with this For a couple of ounces. You got a wind proof jacket. It's... Fairly breathable too. That's what I like about it. It's not like putting on a plastic bag. It's a good looking jacket. It's fully hood, that's a fully functional hood. You can zip it up your chin and, you know, walk straight into the wind It doesn't blow your hood off. For a couple of ounces. It's so versatile. It'll shed a little bit of a rain. You know, you can't go out in, you know, much, you get soap, you know, little

rain blows or. You're okay, It. But it'll add just another level of comfort to any under garment that you're wearing. That's what I love about it. I ride my bike to work a lot in the in the summer. And, now, now, me ride my bike to work. You know, don't don't picture. You know, some guy on a 3000 dollar bike with a little pointy helmet and, you know, little rearview mirror, you know, definitely no Span x. Man. You guys would... Someone, I would get arrested if I put Span x on.

Don't think of that guy, Ryan to work. No, man. Think of car hearts, work boots, you know, dirty old, hat, you know, that's me. In fact, you know, I I joke around a lot when People see me ride to bike. They're like, oh, that dude got a Dui. You know, that... That's what I look like on a bike. But the Wind River, this is this is why I can endorse it. I got mine last year. I read my bike to work basically from the last few days into the March until about

the middle of October. And Depending on where I park might pick up, you know, I'm riding anywhere between 7 and and, and, miles 1 direction or 3 miles 1 direction depending on where I park. Depending on where I park just depends on the weather that day and how late I am for work. But, anyways, I... I'll park my pickup wrap right into work, I'll bet you, I have a hundred days on on on the Wind River. And the what I like about it is you can... You can push yourself in it, like biking or hiking,

and and it... It's just breathable enough. You don't feel like you're wearing a raincoat. Now it's not totally breathable. You know, I don't I don't wanna... I wanna make people think, you know, You can just you can just sweat through it easily, but if it's just enough to keep your warm, break the wind. And it's so durable. Now, full disclosure when I first got it, I broke the zipper.

Just I think I had unzip, like, part or almost all the way down, and I I got it caught on something I was walking in it just yank the zipper open, and it was really hard to do for, like, a week or 2. You know, I just would have to start it and kinda get it going. So I was talking to Honors at Caf. He had he had sent me the the winter to give the try when they first released it. Before Mike did his reviews. Just wanted to see who we we we... If

we want to review it. And you know, so I talked to him 1 day, and I told him hey, the Zipper failed. This, oh, hey, man. Just send me an email. You know, I'll get you another 1 out and I just didn't get around to it. I was kind busy, And I I just kept using it. It healed itself. I light gear that can heal itself seriously. I hardly ever have a problem with the zipper. I think I just must have messed up a tooth or 2, and I either used it enough that they got smooth again.

I... And I don't I don't have the glasses Can't look at it see the. A tooth actually thought, but it's fine right now. I light gear that you can break and you can continue to use. So I wouldn't say it's at the level of bomb proof. I have 1 little hole in on the side or where I think caught it on a barb wire fence. But other than that, solid little shirt. Highly recommend the Ka Wind River Wind shirt. I It's not for sun, Just

imagine being an tent in the sun. Soon as the hunt sun hits that thing, you warm up inside. It's not for that. But man, to break the wind just a little bit and to be able to hike in something and get get rid of a little bit of sweat, I'm really happy with it. By the way. Our cold board challenge, not our cold board challenge but. Our cold bull challenge, but our cold board challenge, for rifle. We're given 1 away in there, I think when I looked yesterday, there was 60 65

people that were in the challenge. So you got good odds of win on that for of if anybody that gets it. We'd love to hear about it on the rock slide clothing sub forum. So there you go, everybody. That's my gear wrap up. For this year. And if you got any questions, like I said, hit me up on rock slide or hit me up on Instagram. We will catch you internally. With the help of sports men and women and concerned citizens we can defeat the hunting bands here in Colorado. Go to save the

hunt colorado dot com. Thanks for listening.